Starring Walmart, Rohlik Group, Instacart, and Currys: RTIH brings you this week's biggest retail technology stories

It's Friday, the weekend is almost upon us, so let’s kick back and reflect on another eventful week for the retail systems space. Here's your briefing on the most important stories from the past few days, including TCS, M&S, adidas, VoCoVo, Bambuser, Decathlon, MandM, and Valtech.

1. Walmart preps largest centralised prescription processing facility powered by automation tech

Walmart has announced the opening of its largest centralised prescription processing facility to date in Frederick, Maryland. The 102,000 square foot site is designed to fulfill up to 100,000 prescriptions a day, supporting more than 700 stores across 16 states and Washington, D.C.

The US retail giant says that, with this launch, it continues to scale its Central Fill operations to meet growing demand for faster, more convenient pharmacy services including online shopping with fast delivery of prescriptions as well as pharmacist provided clinical services including immunisations and testing and treatment for strep throat, flu and Covid.

Two more facilities are in development - one in Phoenix, Arizona, and another in Republic, Missouri - and are expected to open in 2026.

2. Tata Consultancy Services greenlights internal investigation amid fall out from M&S cyber attack

TCS is conducting an internal investigation over whether it was the gateway for the cyber attack on Marks & Spencer.

The Indian IT giant has provided services to M&S for more than a decade.

The retailer recently said that the hackers had managed to gain access to its systems via a third party. It is hoped the investigation will be concluded by the end of the month, according to a report by The FT that cites people familiar with the matter.

Both M&S and TCS did not reply to our request for comment

3. European online grocer and technology specialist Rohlik Group nabs major AutoStore systems milestone

Rohlik Group reports that, after four months of preparation and execution, all 12 of its AutoStore systems are now fully operated by its own control system: ARCOS - developed in-house, designed around the European e-grocery specialist’s processes, and optimised for speed, efficiency, and agility.

In a LinkedIn post, Jindřich Vašák, Product Owner at Rohlik Group, said: “What makes this achievement special? Zero downtime: Every single migration was executed without disrupting running operations. In DACH, we performed full migrations on Sundays - each site in about six hours. In Czech Republic, where Sundays aren’t an option, we migrated overnight from Tuesday to Wednesday in under four hours – ensuring the morning shift could start as usual.”

4. TJ Morris stumps up £400m as UK discount retailer Home Bargains takes wraps off new automated distribution centre

Home Bargains, a UK-based discount retailer, has announced the official opening of its automated distribution centre.

Spanning approximately one million square feet, the new site will operate around the clock to support 300 Home Bargains stores and employ 1,000 colleagues.

Located just off Junction 8 of the M62, the site is accessible via road, public transport, and a dedicated footway/cycleway that links it to St Helens, Warrington, and the wider Omega Business Park. 

Owner TJ Morris has invested around £400 million in this development - a key step in the company’sgrowth strategy and its mission to expand the reach of Home Bargains stores across the UK.

The automation system, developed in partnership with WITRON, incorporates order picking technology. Up to 80% of stock picking is now automated. 

Construction began in April 2022, and the first store deliveries were dispatched on 5th May 2025. By the end of the ramp-up phase in August 2025, logistics capacity is projected to grow by over 57%.

TJ Morris has started work on its next DC  in Doncaster, which will be a copy of the site in St Helens, with the same automated systems. The Doncaster site is scheduled to open in 2028 and will provide capacity to deliver to a further 300+ stores.

5. adidas cyber attack shows how quickly such incidents can ripple through a company's entire supply chain

adidas this week reported a cyber attack incident in which customers' personal information was stolen.

In an online post, it said: “We recently became aware that an unauthorised external party obtained certain consumer data through a third-party customer service provider. We immediately took steps to contain the incident and launched a comprehensive investigation, collaborating with leading information security experts.”

“The affected data does not contain passwords, credit card or any other payment-related information. It mainly consists of contact information relating to consumers who had contacted our customer service help desk in the past.”

It added: “adidas is in the process of informing potentially affected consumers as well as appropriate data protection and law enforcement authorities consistent with applicable law. We remain fully committed to protecting the privacy and security of our consumers, and sincerely regret any inconvenience or concern caused by this incident.”

Chris Clowes, Executive Director at global supply chain and logistics consultancy, SCALA, said: “The recent IT disruptions at Marks & Spencer, Co-Op and most recently adidas, show just how quickly a system fault or cyberattack can ripple through a business’ entire supply chain.”

“Within hours, stock visibility can disappear, deliveries can stall, and shelves begin to empty - potentially eroding customer trust in turn. The incidents come at a moment when supply chains everywhere are already under strain from armed conflict, trade disputes, and climate driven weather events.”

6. Currys connects with VoCoVo to roll-out headset technology across electrical and tech retailer's UK stores

VoCoVo has announced a partnership with Currys to implement its Series 5 Pro Headset technology and support the retailer’s largest ever investment in store safety initiatives.

Following a trial of VoCoVo’s headsets in 20 selected stores, Currys has begun a full roll-out across all of its UK&I location. Every colleague will be equipped with a headset by the end of this month, allowing them to stay better connected and therefore safer on the shop floor.

They can also communicate with ease and efficiency, ensuring customer queries are answered quickly. Furthermore, call points incorporated throughout the stores will enable visitors to request assistance at the touch of a button, with the notification delivered straight to colleague headsets.

7. Grocery retail technology company Instacart appoints Chris Rogers as Chief Executive Officer

Instacart has appointed Chris Rogers as Chief Executive Officer, effective 15th August. He’ll also join the grocery technology firm’s board of directors. Fidji Simo, the current CEO, will remain Chair of the board.

Rogers joined Instacart in 2019 and currently serves as Chief Business Officer, where he oversees all aspects of the company’s commercial operations, including retailer relationships and expansions, ad sales and R&D, partnerships, mergers and acquisitions, Instacart Business, and Instacart Health.

“Over the last four years, we’ve transformed Instacart into a growing, profitable, leading technology platform that’s helping reshape the grocery industry. We’re building a generational company at the intersection of technology and food, and Chris is the right leader for our next chapter. He brings the kind of vision, operational excellence, and customer obsession that will help Instacart play an even bigger role in people’s lives - and I couldn’t be more excited to see how Chris scales the company’s impact from here,” says Simo.

“Instacart sits at the centre of how people shop, eat, and care for their families - and that’s always been what inspires me most about our mission. Together with our partners, we’re transforming the future of grocery shopping, but more importantly, we’re helping people solve real, everyday needs,” says Rogers. “We have a world class team, deep partnerships, leading technology, and a bold vision for the future, and I’m honored to step in and lead Instacart’s next chapter.”

8. French sporting goods retailer Decathlon taps Bambuser tech as it expands Visio Store service

Decathlon has partnered with Bambuser to expand Visio Store, a service that allows customers to schedule appointments with sales associates via video conference to receive guidance in choosing their sports equipment.

After a period of testing in its e-bike category, Decathlon has expanded its video service to ten additional product categories, including fitness, mountaineering, and golf, exclusively for the French market. 

Customers can book appointments at decathlon.fr, directly from the product page or the dedicated service page. After email confirmation, the customer is connected with a human sales advisor, trained directly by the sports design teams to present and compare products and guide customers to those that best meet their needs.

9. Online retailer MandM enlists Valtech for launch of new AI powered mobile app experience

Valtech has partnered with MandM, a UK online fashion and sportswear retailer, to launch an AI centric mobile app.

Built for both iOS and Android, the app utilises Google Cloud and Contentstack technologies and will have: AI powered search and browsing for improved product discoverability; A framework using Google’s Flutter software for easy and efficient UI updates.

This also complements MandM’s Google Cloud strategy, laying the groundwork for deeper adoption of Google Cloud Platform services to support intelligent localisation, scalable customer experiences, and rapid expansion into European markets.

10. Gaming is culture: Walmart Unlimited journey reaches its finale with launch of episode three

Walmart Unlimited, a gamified mini-series, has returned with a third and final chapter.

This made its debut earlier in the year, brought to you by Walmart, Unity and Spatial in collaboration with animators and producers Martian Blueberry and game development studio PIGIAMA KASAMA.

The first episode introduced characters inspired by Walmart’s real-life suppliers, including A Dozen Cousins founder Ibraheem Basir.

It’s the US retail giant’s latest attempt to tap immersive commerce - a form of online shopping that combines VR with 3D visualisations and gamification - to connect with the next generation of consumers.